Belt Shelf

Abstract

A unitary static structure that provides an assist for a human user to carry unwieldy and/or heavy objects is simple, easy to construct (e. g. by injection molding to provide a single piece of rigid plastic), and contains no moving parts. The structure includes a main plate, a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with the main plate, and a flat shelf extending perpendicular to the main plate. The garment belt-receiving manifestation desirably defines a channel so that a garment belt passes through the channel and engages portions of the front face of the main plate.

1 . A unitary static structure comprising:
 a main plate having a width;   a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with said main plate; and   a shelf consisting of a single element extending substantially perpendicular to said main plate and extending substantially the entire width thereof and having a substantially flat upper surface and a lower surface, said main plate, manifestation, and single shelf comprising a unitary static structure.   
     
     
         2 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 1  formed by a single piece of rigid injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         3 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 2  wherein said rigid plastic is selected from the group consisting essentially of glass-filled polypropylene, ABS, and glass-filled nylon. 
     
     
         4 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 2  further comprising at least one support extending between said main plate and said lower surface of said shelf. 
     
     
         5 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said main plate has a front face from which said shelf extends and a rear face; and wherein said belt-receiving manifestation comprises a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to said substantially flat shelf upper surface and integral with said main plate and extending outwardly from said front face of said main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to said main plate and integral with said top portion and said shelf upper surface, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by said top and front portions of said channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of said main plate front face. 
     
     
         6 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 5  wherein said main plate is discontinuous opposite said channel-forming manifestation front portion, defining an open area in said main plate substantially the same size as said front portion of said channel-forming manifestation. 
     
     
         7 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said main plate has a width of approximately 8-10 inches and a height of approximately 4-7 inches, and wherein said shelf has a length of approximately 1½-3 inches and a width of approximately 8-10 inches. 
     
     
         8 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 5  wherein said channel has a height of approximately 2-4 inches and a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.4 inches. 
     
     
         9 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one support connected between said single shelf lower surface and said main plate and wherein said single shelf is continuous and unapertured. 
     
     
         10 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being. 
     
     
         11 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 2  wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being. 
     
     
         12 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 11  further comprising at least one supporting gusset connected between said shelf lower surface and said main plate. 
     
     
         13 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 12  wherein said main plate has a width of approximately 8-10 inches and a height of approximately 4-7 inches, and wherein said shelf has a length of approximately 1½-3 inches and a width of approximately 8-10 inches and is continuous and unapertured. 
     
     
         14 . A unitary static structure as recited in  claim 13  wherein said main plate has a front face from which said shelf extends and a rear face; and wherein said belt-receiving manifestation comprises a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to said shelf and integral with said main plate and extending outwardly from said front face of said main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to said main plate and integral with said top portion and said shelf upper surface, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by said top and front portions of said channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of said main plate front face; and wherein said main plate is discontinuous opposite said channel-forming manifestation front portion, defining an open area in said main plate substantially the same size as said front portion of said channel-forming manifestation. 
     
     
         15 . An object-supporting assist comprising: a main plate having a front face and a rear face; a shelf extending substantially perpendicular to said main plate and having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a garment belt-receiving manifestation comprising a channel-forming manifestation including a top portion substantially parallel to said shelf and integral with said main plate, and extending outwardly from said front face of said main plate, and a front portion substantially parallel to said main plate and integral with said upper surface of said shelf, so that a garment belt may pass through the channel formed by said top and front portions of said channel-forming manifestation and engage portions of said main plate front face. 
     
     
         16 . An object-supporting assist as recited in  claim 15  wherein said main plate is discontinuous opposite said channel-forming manifestation front portion defining an open area in said main plate substantially the same size as said front portion of said channel-forming manifestation. 
     
     
         17 . An object-supporting assist as recited in  claim 16  wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being, and further comprising at least one supporting gusset connected between said shelf lower surface and said main plate. 
     
     
         18 . In combination:
 a unitary static structure for assisting a human in carrying an unwieldy and/or heavy object including: a curved main plate having a width; a garment belt-receiving manifestation associated with said curved main plate; and a single substantially flat upper surface shelf extending substantially perpendicular to said curved main plate and extending substantially the entire width thereof;   a garment belt passing through said garment belt-receiving manifestation for securement around a human's waist so that said shelf extends outwardly from said belt for supporting an unwieldy and/or heavy object; and   an unwieldy and/or heavy object supported by said single substantially flat shelf upper surface.   
     
     
         19 . A combination as recited in  claim 18  wherein said main plate has a width of approximately 8-10 inches and a height of approximately 4-7 inches, and wherein said single shelf is continuous and unapertured and has a length of approximately 1½-3 inches and a width of approximately 8-10 inches; and wherein said main plate has a curvature generally corresponding to the front torso of a human being. 
     
     
         20 . A combination as recited in  claim 19  further comprising a pair of spaced supporting gussets integral with said main plate and said shelf.